Grown & Sexy

Babyface's sought-after, chart-slaying days may be over, but it's all good. If there's one thing the R&B phenomenon demonstrates on Grown & Sexy, is that growing up is sexy. This he proves through a clutch of songs that are more emotionally ripe and satisfying than any of the tricked out tracks that have jerked-and-chugged their way onto recent love song shuffles. Rather than scavenging through Missy Elliott's backyard for an "it" sound, Babyface rummages in his own cellophane-smooth style, and it pays off handsomely. The layers of "Mad, Sexy, Cool" swirl over a pleasingly summery lyric and float into the sophisticated lust bath of "Can't Stop Now." "Sorry for the Stupid Things" speaks straight-up in an apologetic midtempo groove to wrongs committed in an adult relationship. "Good To Be in Love" spills out pure, hand-clapping celebration and "Gettin to Know U" explores a funked-up '70s-era Curtis Mayfield sensibility. As sexy as Grown may be, Babyface makes the case that keeping it real may be as hot as he needs to get.